GUMMER UNCLEAR ON SSA CRITERIA

Environment Secretary John Gummer has failed to spell out the criteria for deciding how standard spending assessmen...

Environment Secretary John Gummer has failed to spell out the criteria for deciding how standard spending assessments will be changed, despite pressure from the Association of Metropolitan Authorities.

AMA Chairman Jeremy Beecham wrote to Mr Gummer last month saying the lack of clear criteria was a fundamental weakness in the review (LGC, 17 September).

Mr Gummer replied the aim was to incorporate the 1991 census data but did not explain the ground rules involved.

'I see the lack of formally defined predetermined objectives for the inclusion or exclusion of particular indicators as an advantage rather than a constraint', he says.

'Equally I can envisage occasions when conclusions based on statistical measures are better tempered by judgment.'

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